One year ago I began building Hapkido Online, while we have come a long way in that year obviously work continues. We've passed many milestones. Approval and support of the Tactical Hapkido Alliance, first students, and first international students. We've also seen the rise of the very first Hapkido Online clubs.

In the past year we've added scores of video and text training. We've had to occasionally go back and re-shoot training video's to ensure the very best training. We've added lesson's about the history of Hapkido and tons of graphics.I owe thanks first and foremost to God, my wife, kids, and our family. Who have believed in this project from the beginning. Important people have helped us along the way, most notably, Grand Master Rodemaker, Senior Master Ziots, and Master Feathers and his family. Grand Master Rodemaker has been so passionate in his support, where would we be without his energy?

The Feathers family is made up of warriors and they have put in interminable hours towards the learning and propagation of Tactical Hapkido. I would also like to send a respectful bow to my brothers, Braxton and Clayton and a big hug to my sister Denise.

I would also like to say a very warmhearted thank you to the uke's who have allowed me to torture them on camera first and foremost among them, Mr. Matthew. You may have noticed him, the tall fellow that is often my uke. In many ways Hapkido Online has grown with Matthew, our belt level content has grown as he has grown as a Hapkidoin. For you beginning students you are in many ways following Matthew's path as my local student.

I would also like to share my thanks to our students and friends at Pro Form TKD. Mr. David Henry and Mr. John Straka were some of our very first distance learners and at the time took quite a leap of faith. Additionally Mr. Henry has been a contributor to Hapkido Online's content occasionally.

In the last year Hapkido Online has welcomed over 70,000 visitors. It has gained critical recognition on other websites and gained notice with advertisers. Most importantly it has a small but loyal student base that make it all possible. It is YOU the students that allow me to build it so that others may learn and grow.

Hapkido Online has brought Chon Sul Kwan to the hearts of many new people and has made the first steps for a real and lasting international presence for the THA. I would like to express my gratitude to everybody at THA. So many have contacted me to express support for our work here. It really helps.

The 7th of February will mark Hapkido Online's birthday for that is the date that I purchased the domain. The domain has been renewed and I look forward to another great year.

It's on the free side of the password so please share it with friends. I tried to paint an accurate portrayal with the few sources I could find, believe me not much solid evidence remains. I was able to find some very nice photo's and even the only known video clip of the closest thing we have to a founder Grand Master Choi Yong Sul. We hope to be adding further curriculum based content soon.

If you visit my home you will see a lightly used black belt with gold embroidery. It has the name of my school and looks very fancy. My wife found it in my duffel bag along with my other training implements. She had her father build a nice wood and glass display box for the belt and it resides in the box. I tested and received this belt 19 years ago.

My waist was thinner in those days so I rarely wear the fancy belt because it doesn't fit so well anymore. Middle age is humbling. Is this belt special to me? Well it is in a way, it reminds me of my test and the pride of passing it. In some ways the box that holds the belt is more special to me because it reminds me how much my wife and her parents love me.

My other black belt is the one I mostly wear. It has no fancy embroidery, and it's not as ebony as it used to be. In fact it’s not even black anymore but has a gray patina to it. The edges are frayed and worn in places. Some of the seams are tattered. When I pick it up it is supple with use. This belt is the one that is most special to me. Not because it is fancy but because it more closely represents what I have learned and what I teach, humility.

It was passed to me informally by my teacher one day, he had worn it for years before giving it to me and he had a new belt. This belt was with him while he trained multitudes of people, including me. It looks very plain but I cherish it because it represents all the qualities of a good teacher (I write ‘he’ but it can also be a she):

He must love his artHe must be patientHe must be kindHe must value his students and honor them

He must be selfless He still learns every day He exists to serve others not himself

I see a lot of fancy schools out there that focus on performance, winning, and the spotlight. They charge vast sums and have rows of students, many of them black belts. The instructors have gilded belts with rows of stripes. The walls have affiliations and awards, the windows frame rows of trophies. I am not saying these things don't have their place, but I am glad that I didn't learn in a place like that.

I look back at my teacher. He has been teaching for 30 years. He has had scores of students come and go like other schools. Out of all those people to my knowledge he has only promoted three to black belt, me and his two sons. When I talk to him he often calls me one of his sons.

He hasn't made a lot of money in martial arts, in fact he usually teaches for free nowadays. Just for the joy of it. I was poor growing up and even now I never seem to have much money. My first belt my teacher bought for me and he never asked for compensation, he did it because he loves his art and he loves his students, they are family. Nowadays if you visit his school often you will see his son teaching advanced techniques to higher students. If you want to find my teacher follow the joyous giggles of children as he teaches them to tumble on the mats.

You might think that because our school is simple and doesn't have all the trappings of success that it is not successful. This is simply untrue. My teacher gave me an invaluable gift. On one occasion it saved my life and the lives of my two children. All my years of training coalesced at that one fateful moment.

The rest of the time his other gifts serve me, faith, trust, honesty, humility, hard work, and love. I carry on with my own school and my own students, I just hope I can be half the teacher that he is and be worthy of wearing his special black belt.